Saturday, March 18, 7:30 Show (7 door): Josephine County, featuring Hanz Araki and Colleen Raney Tickets $18.00, On Sale Now; drop by the store or call 541-345-8986 to reserve or click here to purchase online
Josephine County combines the talents of four excep6onal traditional musicians into one powerhouse musical experience ranging from the United States to Ireland and back.
ERICA BROWN • FIDDLES, GUITAR, VOCALS Erica’s award-winning musical career started at age 7. By age nine, she was traveling throughout New England, Canada, and even Louisiana with the Maine French Fiddlers. Erica also performed as a special guest with Mac McHale And The Old-Time Radio Gang for five years. This led to appearances with Dwight Yoakam, as well as Grammy Award-winning bluegrass performer Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. She was recognized as a Master Ar6st by the Maine Arts Commission in 2006 and fronts her own bluegrass band, Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connec6on, which tours throughout the United States.
MATT SHIPMAN • GUITAR, BANJO, BOUZOUKI, VOCALS Having studied and played tradi6onal music for many years, Ma^ is in high demand, in mul6ple genres, as both an accompanist and singer. A de_ songwriter, Ma^ has released 2 of his own recordings and is featured on albums from Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connec6on, and Erica and Ma^’s duo project, Darlin’ Corey. In 2022, Ma^ and Erica were invited to perform 2 original songs with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
HANZ ARAKI • FLUTES, WHISTLES, BODHRÁN, VOCALS Considered one of the most talented Irish musicians in America today, flau6st, whistle player, singer, and Juno Award-winner Hanz Araki has been lauded by publica6ons and audiences alike. Three decades of musical explora6on into Irish, Scocsh, Japanese, and American tradi6ons has yielded his dis6nct style described in Folk Alley as “one of the best Irish flute players in the US…a brilliant vocalist as well with a cool, clear voice.” Over the years, Hanz has released 11 albums, including 2019’s cri6cally acclaimed At Our Next Mee6ng, recorded in Dingle Co. Kerry, with Lúnasa founder Donogh Hennessy producing. Fes6val appearances include the Aus6n Cel6c Fes6val, the Maine Cel6c Celebra6on, the Missoula Cel6c Fes6val, KVMR Grass Valley Cel6c Fes6val, Milwaukee Irish Fes6val, Bumbershoot, Cel6c Connec6ons, and over 20 years of performances at the Northwest Folklife Fes6val. Hanz has also been invited to perform with the Sea^le Symphony, at the Gates Estate, and for the Japanese Consul General.
COLLEEN RANEY • GUITAR, BODHRÁN, VOCALS Vocalist Colleen Raney has been referred to as “among the best in her genre,” (Irish Music Magazine) and “one of America’s best tradi6onal singers” (Tradconnect). Born into a family where Irish music and dance were part of the fabric of everyday life, Colleen began her musical career with her oldest brother Mark, who studied with legendary singer and song collector Joe Heaney. Colleen has released 5 cri6cally acclaimed albums and toured extensively, both at home and abroad, including two months in 2017 singing for Irish-American supergroup Solas on their farewell tour. Other highlights include The KVMR Grass Valley Cel6c Fes6val, Maine Cel6c Celebra6on, Winston-Salem Cel6c Fes6val, Juan de Fuca Fes6val of the Arts, and Sea^le’s respected Northwest Folklife Fes6val, where she was a regular performer from 1980 to 2013.
Josephine County’s 2019 album, titled East to the West, features gorgeous four part harmonies, dynamic instrumentals, and a strong commitment to the tradi6ons that brought them together from each of their disciplines. “Brilliant album, it’s like a band decided to make a mix tape for me of all my favourite types of folk music. A lovely journey across the bumpy musical road of America-na.” - MáirYn de Cógáin, tradi6onal Irish musician, storyteller, and actor. The band has been featured at the Aus6n Cel6c Fes6val, Winterfolk, and a number of respected folk music venues throughout the United States.